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Translucent green giant larvacean with a delicate spiral mucus house visible against dark blue water

Blue-tailed giant larvacean

Bathochordaeus mcnutti

Not on exhibit
Animal type
Invertebrates
Ecosystem
Deep sea
Relatives
Other larvaceans, tunicates; Class: Appendicularia
Diet
Marine snow
Range
From 260 to 4,600 ft. (80 to 1,400 m) in the North Pacific Ocean
Size
From 1–4 inches (3–10 cm) in length

Meet the blue-tailed giant larvacean

This tadpole-like animal oozes mucus out of cells on their head to build themself a mansion. That sheer blob acts as a filter to catch bits of food drifting down from the surface.

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